Camouflage pattern with fillable leaves

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a unique camouflage pattern having an outdoor scene and one or more specialty leaves that are filled with one or more logos.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention generally relates to the field of camouflage patterns and, more particularly, it relates to an improved camouflage pattern having logos as part of the pattern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, a variety of camouflage design patterns have been utilized to improve the concealment of hunters, bird watchers and others engaged in outdoor activities. In addition, recently, camouflage designs have been used on various articles of manufacture such as men and women's clothing, cell phone covers (i.e., cases), drink holders, towels and other linens, caps or hats, shoes, and the like. Moreover, the use of logos by consumers to advertise their association with a particular college or university, sports team, state, or other affiliation has become popular. Combining association logos with a camouflage base pattern would greatly enhance the desire of consumers to possess and wear/use articles that have such combined camouflage/logo patterns.

Camouflage designs typically employ splotches of brown or green in different shades over a contrasting background such as the brown and green camouflage patterns used by the military. For hunters' clothing and designs, forest scenes that include the aforementioned colors and that also the branches and trunks of trees as well as the leaves on trees, are often utilized.

Various designs of camouflage patterns that utilize a logo or that attempt to make an association with an entity such as school through the use of certain colors include those shown in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2005/0257308 to Willis; U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2008/0137988 and 2009/0017269 to Johnson; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,507,077 to Bentley. None of the aforementioned camouflage designs, however, provide for the use of fillable leaves that may have a logo carried within the confines of the leaves themselves. In addition, other aspects of the present invention are unique and unknown relative to known designs.

Consequently, a need exists for an improved camouflage pattern for use on various articles of clothing wherein various logos may be used within the context of a base camouflage pattern and wherein those logos are carried entirely within identifiable leaves that are part of the base camouflage pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to provide a camouflage pattern to satisfy the aforementioned needs in the form of a unique, and heretofore undeveloped, camouflage pattern with fillable, specialty leaves.

In general and in one embodiment of the present invention, a camouflage pattern is described that includes a camouflage background having an outdoor scene and a plurality of fillable specialty leaves, wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have a predefined outline and wherein one or more of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves carries a logo received completely within the predefined outline of the fillable specialty leaves.

In general and in another embodiment of the present invention, a camouflage pattern is described that includes a camouflage background having an outdoor scene and a plurality of fillable specialty leaves, wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have a predefined outline and wherein one or more of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves carries a logo received completely within the predefined outline of the fillable specialty leaves and wherein the pattern further includes a plurality of standard leaves having a shape different from the shape of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves.

In general and in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a camouflage pattern for use on clothing and personal equipment for concealing a hunter or outdoorsman in a forest is described that includes a camouflage background having an outdoor scene that generally matches the forest and includes a plurality of tree branches, tree trunks, or both, and a plurality of fillable specialty leaves, wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have a predefined outline and wherein each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have substantially identical shapes and a logo received completely within the predefined outline of each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of an embodiment of one design of a fillable specialty leaf with logo thereon that may be used as part of the invention described herein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an embodiment of one design of a camouflage pattern having fillable specialty leaves with logo thereon as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a different design of a camouflage pattern having fillable specialty leaves with logo thereon as shown in FIG. 1.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present invention utilizes a unique, fillable specialty leaf that is defined as part of a camouflage background pattern. In particular, the fillable specialty leaf will carry a logo that may represent an association with a particular organization such as an athletic team (e.g., professional sports team, college sports team, high school sports team, etc.), a political entity such as a city, state or nation, an athletic conference (e.g., Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 10, Pac-12, etc.), or any other organization or entity that has a predefined logo or other identifying insignia or symbol. The fillable specialty leaves will be part of an outdoor scene or camouflage pattern that includes at least branches of trees and/or the trunks of trees. In some embodiments, multiple different logos may be used on the fillable, specialty leaves employed in a particular outdoor scene or camouflage pattern. For example, two different logos may be employed on each of the fillable, specialty leaves that represent the same entity; or two different logos may be employed on different fillable, specialty leaves. For example, both a school's academic logo and its athletic logo could be used on different fillable, specialty leaves within the same camouflage pattern or both logos could be used on a single fillable, specialty leaf. While typically on one logo will be used per fillable specialty leaf, multiple logos could be employed on the same fillable specialty leaf. In other embodiments, the same logo will be employed on all of the fillable, specialty leaves. In yet other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of fillable, specialty leaves employed in a camouflage pattern may remain blank and not carry a logo while one or more of the plurality of fillable, specialty leaves carries one or more logos.

In some embodiments, standard leaves (i.e., leaves that do not, and would not ever, carry a logo but instead which depict actual leaves that would be found indigenous to the tree to which they are attached) may also be included as part of the base camouflage pattern.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary fillable specialty leaf 20 is shown. The fillable specialty leaf 20 has a predefined outline wherein various parts of the outline are indicated at 40. The predefined outline defines the shape of the fillable specialty leaf 20 and is also the enclosed border in which the entire logo 30 is maintained. The particular logo 30 exemplified in the figures herein is the logo of the state of South Carolina—the South Carolina flag emblem of a crescent moon and a palmetto tree.

On some fillable specialty leaves 20, the entire logo 30 used will be shown. In other embodiments, one or more of the fillable specialty leaves will carry only partial logos with certain portions of the logos not shown. But, in all cases, any full or partial logo 30 will be contained within the predefined outline of any fillable specialty leaf 20 upon which it is carried.

FIG. 2 exemplifies one particular embodiment of a camouflage pattern 10 of the present invention that employs a plurality of fillable specialty leaves 20, one or more tree trunks 70, and one or more tree branches 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the camouflage pattern 10 depicts a relatively realistic outdoor forest scene, both in terms of coloration and in terms of vegetation, with the exception of the logo 30 carried on the fillable specialty leaf 20. As will be described herein, various camouflage patterns, logos, and shapes and numbers of fillable specialty leaves may be utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 3 exemplifies another particular embodiment of a camouflage pattern 10 of the present invention that employs a plurality of fillable specialty leaves 20, one or more tree trunks 70, and one or more tree branches 60. Additionally, the camouflage pattern 10 may also contain one or more types of standard leaves 80 that do not carry a logo. Like the scene depicted in FIG. 2, the camouflage pattern 10 of FIG. 3 depicts a relatively realistic outdoor forest scene, in terms of both coloration and vegetation, with the exception of the logo 30 carried on the fillable specialty leaf 20.

The predetermined logos to be used on the patterns are interchangeable and replaceable on the pattern, but the base background camouflage pattern, which is typically a realistic forest scene, may remain the same, regardless of the particular logo(s) used on the fillable specialty leaves 20. In addition, each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves that is used may, in certain of the embodiments, be identical in shape. In other embodiments, the plurality of fillable specialty leaves used on a camouflage pattern 10 may have one or more differing shapes. As used herein “substantially identical in shape” means that each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves will have substantially similar outlines. It is not required that the predefined outlines of the fillable specialty leaves be absolutely identical in such embodiments; however, the outlines in such embodiments should be sufficiently similar so that the ordinary observer would believe that the outlines of the leaves are essentially the same and are patterned after the same design. In other words, the overall shape of the fillable specialty leaves in such embodiments may be similar but slight variations in tips, curves, and lines on the outline are acceptable.

The patterns of the present invention may be used on the surfaces of any article of manufacture capable of receiving a pattern thereon. Any substrate having a hard or a soft surface and/or capable of receiving a pattern to be applied could be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to, clothing such as shirts, dresses, skirts, caps or hats, footwear such as shoes, sandals, boots, flip-flops, or socks, outerwear such as jackets and coats, pants, accessory items such as scarves, ties, and handkerchiefs; covers or cases such as those intended for use on vehicles, vehicle seats, vehicle spare tires, for use on cell phones, for use on computers, and for use on drinking receptacles (commonly referred to as koozies); drinking receptacles themselves; skins for use on various articles such as vehicles, drinking receptacles, computers, cell phones, and notebooks; storage and carrying bags or items such as purses, backpacks, wallets, duffle bags, and suitcases; towels and other linens; draperies; wallpaper; rugs or carpet; floor tile; vinly wraps; heat transfer paper; tarps; and bungees.

Various methods are well-known in the art for creating camouflage designs and emblazoning logos onto the fillable, specialty leaves, including printing, painting, computer creating, coating, as well as all others, all of which may be utilized to create the present inventive patterns and designs. In addition, various methods are well-known in the art for applying the present patterns to, or incorporating the patterns into, various articles of manufacture, such as by adhering, sewing, imprinting, painting, etc. Again, any process or procedure that will allow the placement of the base camouflage pattern on the article in conjunction with at least one fillable specialty leaf and at least one incorporated logo may be utilized in the present invention.

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A camouflage pattern comprising: a. a camouflage background comprising an outdoor scene comprising a plurality of fillable specialty leaves, wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have a predefined outline; and b. a logo received completely within the predefined outline of one or more of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves.
 2. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein the outdoor scene further comprises a plurality of tree branches, tree trunks, or both,
 3. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein the outdoor scene further comprises a plurality of standard leaves wherein the plurality of standard leaves have a shape different from the shape of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves.
 4. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have substantially identical shapes.
 5. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves carries a logo.
 6. The camouflage pattern of claim 5 wherein each of the logos is identical.
 7. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein the logo is the logo of an athletic team.
 8. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein the logo is the logo of a political entity.
 9. The camouflage pattern of claim 8 wherein the political entity is a state of the United States.
 10. The camouflage pattern of claim 1 wherein the logo is the logo of an athletic conference.
 11. The pattern of claim 7 wherein the logo is the logo of a professional sports team.
 12. The pattern of claim 7 wherein the logo is the logo of a school sports team.
 13. The pattern of claim 12 wherein the logo is the logo of a college sports team.
 14. An article of manufacture having a surface comprising the camouflage pattern of claim
 1. 15. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the article is clothing.
 16. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the article is a drinking receptacle.
 17. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the article is a covering for a drinking receptacle.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is a shirt.
 19. The article of manufacturing of claim 14 wherein the clothing is a hat.
 20. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is outerwear.
 21. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is pants.
 22. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is a dress.
 23. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is a skirt.
 24. The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the clothing is shoes.
 25. A camouflage pattern for use on clothing and personal equipment for concealing a hunter or outdoorsman in a forest comprising: a. a camouflage background comprising an outdoor scene that generally matches the forest and comprising a plurality of tree branches, tree trunks, or both, and a plurality of fillable specialty leaves, wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have a predefined outline; and b. a logo received completely within the predefined outline of one or more of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves.
 26. The camouflage pattern of claim 25 wherein the plurality of fillable specialty leaves have substantially identical shapes.
 27. The camouflage pattern of claim 25 wherein each of the plurality of fillable specialty leaves carries a logo. 